Reports: Iran deal in 'final phase'

Following more than two weeks of over-time negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 - Britain, China, France, Russia, the US and Germany - a source close to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Sunday that a deal was in the "absolute final phase."

"From the viewpoint of the minister, there are only a few elements missing for a watertight agreement with Iran," the source said in comments to the Reuters and dpa news agencies, on condition of anonymity.

"Everything can still fail, but we are indeed very close to reaching the goal…Negotiations are currently in the absolute final phase and are running intensely through the night," the source noted.

However, the source added that a deal could still fail.

Following a missed June 30 deadline, Iran and the six world powers have been struggling to find a solution to an impasse at the talks held in the Austrian capital Vienna.

If a deal is made, Iran would stop developing its nuclear program - which Tehran says is not meant to build an atomic bomb - in exchange for Western sanctions being lifted.

'Hard sell' for US' Republicans

However, the prospect of a deal has met staunch opposition from Republican lawmakers in the US.

"It appears as if the administration's approach to this was to reach whatever agreement the Iranians are willing to enter into," US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday in an interview with Fox News.

"I think it's going to be a very hard sell - if it's completed - in Congress," McConnell added.

A deal with Iran would end a 13-year American standoff with the Islamic republic.

Rouhani hopeful

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that an agreement between the major powers and Iran was "very close."

"Thank God, I have kept my campaign promises for a settlement of the nuclear issue," Rouhani said, referring to pledges made during his presidential campaign.

The latest deadline is set for Monday.

ls/jr (Reuters, AFP, EFE, dpa)